Ch. 71..80

Chapter 71 A Total Fail

“What’s the point of just talking about strategies on paper? Any shop manager has strong sales skills. Ms. Steele, I hope you won’t hold back and will show is what you’ve got.”

Janet’s gaze was filled with mockery.

It’s obvious she just graduated as a designer. So what if she’s studied a few more years than me? What’s the big deal?

Christina put down the work files in her hands. “All right, then you better watch closely.”

“We’ll be sure to watch with our eyes wide open,” Janet said, making a show of opening her eyes wide.

Right as she finished speaking, a fashionably-dressed woman walked into the store.

Christina walked over and said, “Hello, miss. Please feel free to browse around.”

A faint but meaningful smile hung on the woman’s lips. Though she nodded slightly, she didn’t say anything.

Christina kept smiling and followed behind her.

The salespersons at the checkout counter looked at the woman with mixed emotions as they all recognized her.

“Janet, there’s no need for this,” Penny whispered in warning.

That woman was Janet’s close friend. She also worked in sales, though not in the same company.

It was obvious that Janet deliberately called that woman over to make things difficult for Christina.

“What do you mean by that? Ms. Steele is going to demonstrate sales techniques for us; just watch!”

Janet wanted everyone to watch Christina embarrass herself. Let’s see if she still dares to act smug in front of us after tasting defeat!

“Miss, I noticed you’ve been looking at the clothing section. These are all the latest styles in our store,” Christina said with a smile.

The woman still didn’t respond. From her disdainful gaze, it seemed she was looking down on those clothes.

“What size do you usually wear, miss?” Christina had very good temperament and maintained proper politeness no matter how indifferent the other party was.

After all, she knew very well that excessive enthusiasm could be off-putting.

The woman’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she remained silent.

“I see that you have a slim and attractive figure. You should be a size S, right?” Christina continued the conversation.

Smiling slightly, the woman couldn’t help but say, “Not at all. I wear a size M.”

“You have a slender figure, miss, which makes you look quite thin. Why don’t you take a look at this slim-fit dress? It’s perfect for women with your body shape. Shall I grab a size M for you?” Christina said with a smile.

The woman was somewhat moved by the compliment and hesitated for a moment before saying, “All right then.”

I’ll just give it a try but not buy anything. No matter what, I have to make things as difficult as possible for her!

Christina quickly brought the dress to the dressing room for the woman.

In no time, the woman changed into the new dress and walked out. The moment she opened the door, she found a pair of high heels displayed in front of her.

“Only by trying the dress together with the heels can we see the results.”

The woman’s smile grew even more pronounced as it was her first time encountering such an attentive salesperson.

Putting on the high heels, she stood in front of the mirror and admired her own beauty.

“Miss, you look very elegant in this style of clothing. It will definitely turn heads when you walk down the street,” Christina praised.

The woman’s heart soared with the compliment, but her face remained calm as she casually expressed her true feelings, “I also think it looks quite nice!”

Seeing the woman’s delighted expression, Christina took the opportunity to continue, “I apologize, miss. I made a mistake earlier. This outfit is actually from the previous collection, so there’s a discount. available now. Would you like to consider it?”

The young woman looked at the dress she was wearing with satisfaction and immediately nodded. “Yes, I’ll take it.”

Christina smiled slightly and said, “All right.”

As she turned around, the woman grabbed her hand, Christina looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“Please pack the shoes as well,” the woman said shyly, hot daring to look at the cashier counter.

Christina nodded with a smile. “There’s an extra discount if you buy the shoes as well. Miss, you really know how to shop!”

After swiping her card to pay, the woman happily walked out with her spoils.

“Ms. Steele, you’re amazing!” said one of the sales assistants with stars in their eyes.

“I’m totally convinced!” Penny’s heart had been trembling with fear just a moment ago.

Janet had an awful expression, as if someone had slapped her across the face. She pursed her lips and remained silent.

Regardless, Christina chose to be low-key. “It’s nothing. As long as you put your heart into it, you can definitely accomplish great things.”

After going through the test, the sales assistants gained more respect for Christina, which also made them work even harder.

Behind the shop was a food street, and Janet took advantage of her lunch break to step out and make a phone call.

“Jenny, you idiot! I asked you to give her a hard time, not to actually buy something!”

Jenny replied impatiently, “How is this my fault? Your shop manager is just too good. She managed to touch my heart with just a few words.”

“Can she force you if you don’t want to buy? You’re so stupid! Besides, what’s so great about her?” Janet was so angry that her veins were throbbing on both sides of her head, and her fury could be felt even. through the phone.

With a scoff, Jenny said, “Can you please have a better attitude? You should learn from the good qualities of such an excellent shop manager! For example, I learned quite a few sales techniques just now! If you don’t want to work there anymore, just let me know, and I’ll go learn from her.”

With that, Jenny ended the call.

Janet was so angry that she almost threw her phone. Her plan to embarrass Christina had backfired, and it was infuriating!

When she turned around, she was completely taken aback.

Christina had appeared behind her at some point. At that moment, the former’s face was expressionless as she exuded a sense of seriousness.

Janet lowered her head, feeling a bit guilty inside.

She really enjoyed working at Radiant Corporation. If she were to be fired, it would be difficult to find another job with such great benefits.

Since every employee had a work history, those who had been fired would not have the opportunity to join other branches either.

“Ms. Steele… I didn’t do it on purpose…” From challenging Christina to arranging for someone to come in and make things difficult for her, it was quite obvious that Janet had done it intentionally.

Christina’s eyes gleamed as she replied, “There’s no need to hide the truth. I knew that customer was in cahoots with you the moment she walked in.”

Janet gasped, then exclaimed in surprise, “So you know Jenny!”

As it turned out, she was the one who’d been played!

Christina chuckled lightly. “No, it’s because she glanced at you as soon as she walked in.

Janet’s face turned red instantly, and she couldn’t help but admire Christina’s keen observation skills. “Ms. Steele, you have a sharp eye. Could you please not fire me? I really like this job.”.

She became anxious, regretting the foolish thing she had just done and fearing retaliation.

For Christina to fire her was just a matter of saying a few words.

Christina’s face took on a more composed expression. “I came here to work, not to become entangled in a feud with you. I’ve observed your work abilities, and you are indeed more capable than the others. From now on, please focus all your attention on your work, and don’t let me down.”

A tremble went through Janet, and she felt her defenses crumbling.

Christina appeared to be of a similar age to her, yet the former’s ability to handle situations was several times greater than Janet’s.

Finally accepting Christina as her superior, Janet wholeheartedly agreed and expressed her gratitude. “Thank you. Ms. Steele. I will definitely work hard.”

“Hurry back to work, then.”

After work, Christina went to a convenience store near her condominium to buy some daily necessities.

Pushing open the glass door, she walked out carrying a heavy bag, only to bump into a figure approaching her head-on.

The unexpected collision caused her to stumble before clumsily lunging forward.

 

Chapter 72 Special Privileges

“Christina!”

Brayden’s heart raced with excitement as he looked at the person who had staggered into his arms.

“Brayden? What are you doing here?” Christina asked, a bit surprised.

It felt like encountering a familiar face in a foreign land.

Brayden was wearing an extremely simple white shirt with the cuffs folded back, revealing half of his clean and strong arms.

Standing under the moonlight, he appeared gentle and refined, like a character in a beautiful watercolor painting.

“I opened a studio nearby. What about you?” Brayden squatted down to help her pick up the fallen items.

Christina took the bag and said, “The company assigned me to manage a branch store here.”

“What a coincidence! How about we find somewhere near to sit for a bit?” Brayden suggested.

After hesitating for a moment, Christina agreed.

Meanwhile, in the city center.

Nathaniel had just finished a meeting.

Originally, the meeting was scheduled for tomorrow, but he made time to handle it in advance.

After the meeting ended, Madison walked over and said, “Mr. Hadley, let’s go for a run together tomorrow. Sebastian, would you like to join us?”

In the past, the three of them used to go running together quite often as a way to exercise their bodies. They would then enjoy breakfast together after their workout.

Madison really missed those days.

Although it wasn’t a date with Nathaniel, it still counted as a cherished memory between them.

Nathaniel stood up and glanced at them. “You and Sebastian go ahead. I have something to do tonight, and I’ll be back a bit late tomorrow.”

After saying that, he walked out.

Madison watched him leave with confusion, feeling a sense of loss in her heart.

Sebastian, seeing her like this, couldn’t help but gently remind her, “Mr. Hadley is going to see Mrs. Hadley.”

After saying that, he walked out.

Madison’s eyes dimmed, and her heart ached even more as if pierced by something sharp.

This was her first time seeing Nathaniel put in so much effort for a woman.

Unfortunately, that woman was not her.

In the café, Brayden and Christina ordered hot drinks and snacks.

“It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other after the last time we parted. I really didn’t expect to meet you here,” Brayden exclaimed.

Christina smiled slightly. “Yeah. Have you been busy lately?”

The two of them chatted casually, just like old classmates would.

Right as they were paying the bill, a dark figure walked straight up to the two of them from the

entrance.

The figure was exuding a chilling aura, causing the surrounding temperature to drop by several degrees.

Christina was dumbfounded and in disbelief as she stared at the handsome and cold man in front of her.

Speak of the devil, and he shows up. Could it be that he knows magic and somehow knows when people are talking about him?

Nathaniel looked extremely displeased. “What are you guys doing?”

Brayden quickly spoke up before Christina could say anything. “Don’t get the wrong idea. We both work nearby, and Christina and I are just catching up as old classmates.”

Nathaniel’s expression was still gloomy as he reached out to grab Christina’s hand and led her outside.

Brayden clenched his fists, wanting to chase after them, but he knew that running after her would only cause more trouble for Christina.

After watching the two figures disappear from sight, he finally paid the bill and left.

“Nathaniel, what are you doing!” Christina felt extremely embarrassed.

He could have at least let me say goodbye to Brayden How awkward to leave without saying anything.

“How dare you ask me that? You should be asking yourself!”

Nathaniel, despite his exhaustion, made a special effort to come over, only to see her chatting and laughing with another man. How could he not be upset?

“How is it appropriate for a married woman like you to not return home this late at night and instead meet up with a man?”

Christina felt as if she had been doused with a bucket of cold water out of nowhere. “What are you talking about?”

I was just having a normal conversation with Brayden, yet he’s making it seem like I was cheating on him!

Nathaniel, feeling upset, crossed his arms and sulked in silence.

Christina’s expression was less than happy as well. She had been scolded for no reason despite having done nothing wrong.

The two of them stood silently, neither willing to take a step back and apologize to the other.

“I’m going back.”

After saying that, Nathaniel strode away.

Christina turned around, watching the tall figure in her sight gradually fade away. Her eyes welled with a thin layer of tears.

How annoying! Did he come here on purpose just to infuriate me?

Christina, who usually slept very well, was actually kept awake by her anger that night.

She hated herself for caring so much about Nathaniel’s unreasonable tantrums, but at the same time, she found herself growing more and more fond of him.

Otherwise, why would she feel heartache when he turned around and left?

The next day, after finishing up the tasks at the store, Christina began working on the design drafts.

For some reason, she suddenly felt the urge to return to downtown as soon as possible.

In the following days, she devoted herself to drawing the designs, almost forgetting to eat and sleep. She quickly completed the design drawing.

When Gina received the email, she praised Christina greatly.

“Christina, you work incredibly fast! I thought you wouldn’t be able to submit the draft to me until next week.”

“Ms. Tanner, please let me know once you’ve confirmed which one to use, and if there’s anything that needs to be changed, just tell me. I’ll definitely cooperate with you,” Christina said earnestly.

“You are indeed diligent. All right, I’ll contact you again.”

After hanging up the phone, Christina took a deep breath.

In truth, she wanted to complete the task quickly so she could return as soon as possible.

After work in the evening, Christina invited her coworkers to join her for dinner at a nearby pizza joint.

After spending some time together, everyone had become familiar with each other, so they did not - hold back when ordering food.

Chatting and laughing, they paid the bill and left after having a satisfying meal.

As they were discussing getting a taxi, Penny curiously asked, “Ms. Steele, where do you live?”

“I live in the staff dormitory. How about you guys?” Christina said.

The others looked puzzled and asked her, “We also live in the staff dormitory, so why aren’t you. staying with us?”

Christina didn’t understand why, either. Back when Sebastian first took her to the luxury condominium, he had said it was company-arranged accommodation.

“Could it be that the shop manager has some special privileges?” Christina guessed as this was the only explanation that made sense.

The rest shook their heads at the same time. “That can’t be it. The previous shop manager also lived with us.”

Christina’s heart skipped a beat as she suddenly guessed what was going on.

At that moment, in the city center.

Nathaniel flipped through the documents, his furrowed brows never relaxing as a grim expression remained on his face.

Sebastian stood to the side, holding his breath and exhaling softly while trying his best to make himself invisible.

Just then, Madison walked in, holding a file. “Mr. Hadley, the plans for next month are all in here.”

Nathaniel accepted the file and flipped through it, pulling out a few sheets of paper and placing them on the table.

“Implement this project first.”

Sebastian and Madison picked up the documents and looked through them together. These were plans, for building a hotel west of the city next month.

The lands at the west of the city were vast, and the transportation system there was well-developed. Despite that, there was only one resort.

According to Hadley Corporation’s plan, they would inspect the site next month and then compete for the land. If everything proceeded smoothly, building a hotel there shouldn’t be an issue.

“Isn’t it a bit too early for us to go there since the land auction is not until next month?” Madison asked.

She knew Nathaniel wouldn’t change his plans for no reason.

Sebastian had already guessed the reason. Wasn’t Christina recently sent on a business trip to the west of the city?

“I think it’s a good idea to go and scout ahead of time. I’ll start building connections right away,” Sebastian stated.

Nathaniel nodded. “Go ahead.”

Madison wanted to ask more questions, but Sebastian pulled her out of the office.

 

Chapter 73 Not A Good Sign

Madison shook off Sebastian’s hand. “What are you doing? Why didn’t you stop Mr. Hadley from messing up the plan for a woman?”

The moment she stepped out of the office, she had a hunch.

Nathaniel was definitely not the type to change his mind on a whim.

He had done that for Christina.

Sebastian let out a light sigh. “Since you already know, just go along with Mr. Hadley’s wishes. Do you think you can stop him?”

After saying that, he walked away to prepare what was needed.

Madison stood there, dumbfounded. She felt as if her heart was bleeding.

Right. How could I possibly change anything with my own strength alone?

After work, Madison went to a quiet bar near her condominium to have a drink and unwind.

Madison sat in a vacant corner. The laughter of men and women came from the table behind her, starkly contrasting her current mood..

She ordered a strong drink and downed it in one gulp

The fiery taste burned her throat, but she ordered a second glass.

Whenever she thought of everything Nathaniel did for Christina, she felt like the alcohol in her stomach was nothing compared to the bitterness in her heart.

Madison and Nathaniel first met in junior high. From the moment she laid eyes on him, she fell deeply

in love.

After she secretly admired him for so many years, he was snatched away by someone before she could even confess her feelings.

This was a hard pill to swallow for Madison.

Just then, a tall figure appeared from the private room.

The man was tall and slender with long legs and perfect proportions. As he emerged from the shadows, he resembled a high-end fashion model in fashion week.

When he walked into the light, his handsome face came into view. He had upturned, ebony eyes, and his feathery lashes cast shadows on his face.

He exuded a captivating aura that could be felt even from a distance.

The man gradually approached Madison and stopped beside her.

“Isn’t it a bit-unsafe for a girl to be drinking alone in a bar?” His deep voice interjected:

Madison quickly hid her dejected expression and looked up. She recognized him right away and asked,

Chapter 73 Not A Good Sign

“Francis, what are you doing here?”

“One of my artists just won the best actor award, so I brought them here to celebrate.”

Francis Fernando sat down next to Madison and ordered a glass of whiskey.

+5 Bonus

“I saw the news,” he commented. Nathaniel had been appearing in the news from time to time lately, and Francis often watched them.

Madison’s eyes narrowed slightly, her emotions unreadable.

Following a moment of silence, she suddenly spoke up. “I can help you if you want, but on one condition. Help me get rid of that woman.”

Nathaniel had been growing more and more distant from Madison recently, and no matter what she did, it didn’t seem to work.

If Christina disappears from Nathaniel’s side, would the old Nathaniel return? Even if I can’t get close to him, I’d be content with watching him from afar and silently standing by his side…

“I’ll think about it,” Francis said before walking away

Meanwhile, Christina was in the store. She had bustled around there all morning, spent the entire evening tweaking designs, and reviewed their sales for the whole month.

She was so tired that she saw double every time she spotted a black object.

Suddenly, Janet squealed as she excitedly ran in from the entrance. “Ms. Steele, there’s an incredibly handsome guy looking for you at the door.”

Handsome guy? Is Nathaniel here?

Christina put down her work and walked out.

“Christina, am I disrupting your work?”

A man’s clear and bright voice reached her ears, and Christina’s anticipating smile shifted into a surprised grin.

“Brayden, how did you know I work here?”

Brayden noticed the subtle change in Christina’s expression and curled up his lips in a carefree manner. “Radiant Corporation only has one branch in each district, so it was easy to find. Did he give you a hard time that night when you went back?”

Recalling that night, Christina felt a bit embarrassed. Not really. He didn’t mean any harm.”

“My studio is nearby. How about I bring you there so you can take a look around?” Brayden offered. Since it was almost lunch break, Christina agreed, “Alright.”

Jurato Workshop designed styles that were particularly popular among contemporary women.

Upon entering, one would be welcomed by strong design elements, creative decorations, and a spacious design studio.

Christina thought that if she had her own design studio one day, she would definitely display her design concepts so more people could see them.

As the two of them sat down and discussed their careers and future plans, time flew by.

When Christina returned to the store, Janet curiously came over and asked her, “Is that handsome guy your boyfriend?”

“No, I’m married,” Christina replied.

Janet couldn’t help but look at her with sympathy. “You must regret getting married early, don’t you? You missed out on such a handsome man!”

Christina lifted the corner of her lips and boasted playfully, “My husband is even more handsome than that man. He also spoils me a lot!”

Janet laughed and thought Christina was just putting up a front. “Keep pretending.”

The man she had seen just now was not only handsome but also had a great temperament. Janet did not believe there were so many perfect men around.

Right after Janet’s words fell, a figure appeared at the entrance of the shop.

Towering at a height of a hundred and eighty-eight meters, the man gave off a domineering aura. His cold and exquisite facial features, well-defined jawline, and innate vibe of superiority were striking enough to stun someone just after one glance.

“Sir, are you here to buy clothes for your girlfriend? Janet approached him and prompted with an envious look in her eyes.

“I’m looking for someone,” the man responded, his magnetic voice pleasant to the ears.

Christina felt a chill down her spine. When she turned around, her gaze met Nathaniel’s.

“Nathaniel? When did you arrive?”

A blush spread across her face as she wondered in embarrassment if he had heard everything she just told Janet.

Janet’s eager gaze was making Nathaniel uncomfortable, so he turned around and walked away.

After a short pause, Christina followed him.

A black Maybach was parked at the entrance. As Nathaniel stood beside it in silence, the air seemed to stagnate.

Christina caught up, feeling a bit annoyed. “Why did you come to the west of the city again?”

“Is the west of the city yours? Are you the only one who can come?” Nathaniel asked in return.

His retortion left Christina speechless.

At the side, Sebastian wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. He obviously came for Mrs. Hadley. Why can’t he speak to her properly?

Since Nathanial wouldn’t talk, Christina didn’t want to stand there and be snubbed.

The moment she turned around, Nathaniel grabbed her wrist. “Who said

Christina was unable to move because of his tight grip.

you could leave?”

At that moment, Nathaniel’s phone rang. He then let go of Christina’s hand to answer the call.

Julia’s voice came from the speaker. “Nathaniel, come to the Hadley residence for dinner on Saturday.”

Christina held her breath, not wanting to make a sound.

When Julia was about to hang up, she added disdainfully. “Also, remember to bring that country bumpkin with you!”

Christina’s eyes widened. Is she referring to me?

“She’s not a country bumpkin,” Nathaniel countered coldly.

“It doesn’t matter as long as you know who I’m talking about,” Julia replied with impatience before cutting the call.

With that, Nathaniel put away his phone. “You heard that. Come home with me on Saturday.”

Christina was puzzled.

She has never been fond of me. Why does she suddenly want me there for no reason? This isn’t a good sign.

“All right.”

 

Chapter 74 Help Me Bathe

Nathaniel opened the car door and ordered, “Get in.”

“I need to get back to work,” Christina pointed out. She turned to leave, but Nathaniel wouldn’t let go and even opened the car door wider.

Instinctively, Christina resisted and angrily pushed the car door.

Following a thud. Nathaniel let out a muffled groan.

“Why didn’t you pull your hand back?”

Christina hurriedly pulled the door open with a worried frown and rushed to check Nathaniel’s hand. His fingertips and palms were red and swollen.

“Mr. Hadley, are you okay? We should go to the hospital in case there are fractures,” Sebastian interjected with concern.

“All right. Let’s go now!”

They soon got to the hospital, where Nathaniel took an X-ray. Thankfully, there were no fractures, but his palm was quite swollen. There was also a bloody mark on the back of his hand that required daily. disinfection.

“Don’t touch water, and make sure to take the medicine three times a day. Remember to wrap the gauze properly. You’ll be fine in a week or so.” After giving these instructions, the doctor told them to settle the fees.

In no time, Sebastian brought them the medicine and carefully explained the dosage to Christina.

“Mr. Hadley cannot touch water for the next few days. It’s inconvenient for him to stay in the hotel alone. Mrs. Hadley, would you mind if he stays at your place in the meantime?”

Christina looked up in surprise. “Stay at my place?”

Sebastian nodded confidently. “Mr. Hadley’s hand is injured, so he needs someone to take care of him. I won’t be able to attend to him all the time since I also have to work.”

Christina hesitated for a moment. Realizing she was the one who caused Nathaniel’s injury, she had no choice but to agree.

It was dusk when the two of them returned to the condominium.

Right after entering the house, Christina walked into the kitchen. “Are you hungry? I’ll make you some

oatmeal.”

Nathaniel looked around. The place was very clean, and there was a faint, refreshing fragrance in the

air.

He walked over to the couch and sat down. Since his hand didn’t really hurt that much, he turned on his tablet to check some documents.

The warm, golden light of the setting sun streamed in through the window with a cool breeze, blending with the enticing aroma of food from the kitchen.

“The food is ready. Come over and cat.”

Christina put her long hair into a casual ponytail and untied her apron.

They sat facing each other and ate, looking like a peaceful painting as none of them uttered a word.

After dinner, Nathaniel gently unbuttoned his collar with his uninjured hand. “Come in and help me

bathe.”

“What?” Christina exclaimed, her fork slipping from her grasp.

“I can’t bathe by myself,” Nathaniel insisted. Before she could even respond, he turned around and walked into the bathroom.

Eventually, Christina found herself in the bathroom, wiping down Nathaniel with her head buried between her shoulders. The water vapor in the air was slowly transforming into a cloud of mist, while the sound of trickling water filled her ears.

From time to time, her fingertips would inadvertently come in contact with Nathaniel’s sturdy muscles. Droplets of water splashed onto her arms, and her white dress had become somewhat damp.

“Can you put a little more strength into the back rub? Nathaniel complained.

Even someone wiping a table would use more strength than this!

Christina’s face turned tomato-red. “Why don’t you do it yourself?”

As the sound of the water drowned out her voice, she sounded like a whining cat.

“Sure, if you want my hand to get infected,” Nathaniel quipped with a deep voice and moved a few inches closer to her.

Christina narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth as she rubbed his back vigorously with the towel. Unexpectedly, the towel slipped from her hands, causing her to lose balance and fall onto Nathaniel.

The water droplets sprinkling from above dampened her long hair. When she lifted her head, her eyes glistened alluringly. Her crimson lips parted slightly as if making a silent confession to him.

Her palms were rested against Nathaniel’s chest, its temperature so scorching that it felt intentional. “Christina, what are you up to, jumping into my arms so eagerly?”

Without giving Christina a chance to answer, Nathaniel lowered his head and savored her delicate lips. Along with two sets of quickening breaths, misty steam pervaded the bathroom.

In the cool breeze of the early morning, Christina awoke to find that there was no one by her side.

She went to work and assigned the tasks as usual. That day, she received Gina’s response, telling her that the higher-ups had approved her design draft.

It was estimated that the products would hit the store shelves at the beginning of the next month. This was definitely the best thing Christina had heard all month.

Chapter 74 Help Me Bathe

In the following days, Brayden didn’t come looking for Christina.

She figured he probably had things to take care of. It was a good thing, too, since she didn’t want unnecessary misunderstandings.

On Saturday, Christina arranged everything in advance and then set out for the Hadley residence early with Nathaniel.

There were several luxury cars parked at the entrance of the mansion.

Nathaniel could see that the license plates didn’t belong to his family. Clearly, there were guests at

home.

As soon as the two of them got out of the car, the housekeeper came forward to welcome them.

“Mr. Hadley. Mrs. Hadley has been waiting for you.”

Nathaniel held Christina’s hand and walked in with her.

A few elaborately dressed women sat on the couch, the scents of their perfumes mingling in the air.

They were conversing with Julia and laughing nonstop.

“Nathaniel, you’re back! Come over here.”

Julia’s gaze toward Christina was filled with an understate contempt, but when facing Nathaniel, she smiled amiably.

The two of them walked to the women’s opposite. Right when Christina sat down, Julia’s cold, sarcastic voice sounded. “Does the Hadley family not have enough money for you to buy clothes? Why are you. wearing such an ugly outfit in public?”

Christina froze subtly in surprise. I had deliberately worn a branded outfit since I knew I was coming here. How is this outfit ugly in any way?

“Beautiful people look good in anything. It’s the ugly ones who need to dress up,” Nathaniel interjected lazily.

He crossed his legs and placed his uninjured hand around Christina as if protecting something precious.

Julia’s face darkened at that. Nevertheless, her target today was Christina.

She shot the latter a sideways glance and sneered, “Christina, you’ve been married to Nathaniel for quite a few years now, haven’t you? Yet you still don’t have a child. You should really get a move on!”

“Mrs. Hadley, I get a check-up every year. The doctor said I’m in great shape to have children!” A woman wearing an expensive yellow dress immediately chimed in.

Christina’s expression shifted slightly, and she retorted, “It’s true that we’ve been married for quite a few years now, but Nathaniel was abroad all this time. If I had gotten pregnant and given birth to a baby, that would really bring disgrace to the family.”

Julia never expected Christina to be so bold to talk back at her like that.

“Well, he’s back now. Why haven’t you been putting in more effort lately? Don’t tell me you can’t have children?” Even with outsiders around, Julia didn’t bother saving Christina some face.

“I need to work. How can I think about having children every day?” Christina said indignantly.

Just then, a woman with wavy hair mocked, “If I were married, I would definitely stay at home every day to take care of my husband instead of going out to work.”

Her words pleased Julia, who agreed, “That’s right. That is the duty of a good wife.”

When Christina heard that, her eyes widened with a bint of anger. I’m not a sloth. How could I possibly stay at home every day and not go out and work?

She didn’t want to be a shallow-minded bird in a gilded cage.

“If you’re not satisfied with me, you may ask Nathaniel to divorce me. Or you can even give birth to another son and let him marry someone who meets your expectations,” she countered without

hesitation.

Julia was so furious that her blood pressure soared. Grabbing the coffee cup on the table, she threw it at Christina’s foot.

 

Chapter 75 Get Lost

Bang!

The cup fell to the floor and shattered, the hot water spilling over Christina’s high heels.

“Mom, what are you doing?”

Nathaniel picked Christina up in his arms and took off her shoes, revealing her fair feet that were burned red.

“Bring me the first aid kit,” he ordered coldly.

The housekeeper didn’t dare to delay and immediately ran off to fetch the first aid kit.

At this moment, Julia was truly angry. Sensing the tense atmosphere, the socialites nearby didn’t dare to hang around either.

Instead, they quickly found an excuse and hurried off.

Julia watched as Nathaniel applied medicine to Christina’s feet, feeling even more upset. “There are so many people here. Look at what your wife just said to me. She has no manners!”

“It was obviously you who intended to bring other people along to bully her together.” Nathaniel continued applying medicine to Christina’s feet, feeling fortunate that the injury was not serious.

Christina hung her head, finally understanding why Julia insisted on her coming back.

It was Julia’s opportunity to combine forces with others to humiliate Christina.

“What have I done to bully her? Did I say anything wrong? Forget the fact that she hasn’t gotten pregnant despite being with you for so long, she’s also just working all the time and doesn’t really bother about taking care of you. What’s the point of such a daughter-in-law?”

Julia glared fiercely at Christina as though the two of them had a blood feud.

Nathaniel placed Christina’s hands on his shoulders and then lifted her off the couch. “Let’s go.”

“Did I say you could leave? You really have no manners at all.” Julia knew it was pointless to lecture Nathaniel, so she turned to Christina instead. “Nathanjel may not know better, but shouldn’t you, as his wife, have some sense?”

Christina bit her lip, wriggling slightly to get down from Nathaniel’s embrace, but the man’s strong arms did not allow her to resist.

Struggling in vain, she then said, “Mrs. Hadley, as you can see, it’s not that I’m being unreasonable. It’s your son who’s being unreasonable and forcing me to act this way.”

Julia was so angry that her cheeks were trembling. “Christina, get lost! I despise uncouth, ill-mannered women like you!”

How I regret bringing this seductive vixen into my home! Look at how infatuated my son is with her now. This is infuriating!

Unable to hold back her exasperation, Christina gritted her teeth as she replied, “Well, isn’t it a

coincidence then, as I don’t like you either!”

Nathaniel walked out of the Hadley residence, cradling Christina, who was like a feral kitten, in his

arms.

Behind her, Julia’s angry grumbling and cursing could still be heard.

“Even without Xandra, I would never approve of you as my daughter-in-law. There are so many other distinguished young ladies for me to choose from!”

“Mrs. Hadley, don’t be upset, and don’t bother arguing with that ignorant brat,” said the housekeeper, Helen, supporting Julia as they walked inside. “Next week, we have a ball to attend. Why don’t we go and pick out some clothes?”

Helen knew that Julia loved dressing up, and seeing beautiful clothes would instantly lift her spirits.

The two of them entered the walk-in closet together, where there were nearly thousands of dresses in various styles hanging inside. There were dresses of all price ranges, including limited edition ones.

Julia searched the whole place but couldn’t find anything suitable, which made her mood even worse.

“Can you help me contact Vivian? I’d like to ask Ada to design a new gown for me.”

Helen quickly agreed, “I heard that Ms. Ada is very talented and a rising star in the design industry. Last time, Ms. Jones asked her to design a gown for her, and Ms. Jones certainly stole the spotlight the night she wore the dress.”

Julia is a very prideful person who could not stand others stealing her spotlight.

“You must bring me Ada!”

“Yes, Mrs. Hadley!”

The car slowly headed toward Christina’s grandmother’s house. Christina tilted her head, looking at the scenery outside, and got lost in thought for a moment.

How long does a relationship that is not favored by one’s family usually last?

Recalling the words of those people earlier, Christina fell silent for a moment before speaking. “Nathaniel, let’s get a divorce!”

The moment her words fell, the car came to an abrupt stop.

Christina almost fell due to not being seated securely. She turned to look at the person in the driver’s seat. The man’s dark eyes were filled with gloom, appearing especially cold and distant.

“What did you say?”

Christina clenched her bag with both hands, looking rather upset and frustrated.

“Didn’t your mom say she wants you to have a child? Since this isn’t possible in the short term, you don’t have to think about it anymore. I don’t want to hold you back.”

Nathaniel’s eyebrows furrowed as he asked seriously. “When did I ever force you to have a

child?”

“But you’re not getting any younger. I’m doing this for your own good.” Counting on her fingers, Christina realized that she was only in her twenties and didn’t have such plans yet.

Nathaniel’s gaze darkened. Is she complaining that I’m old?

He grasped her small hand and gazed into her eyes, which shimmered like the rippling surface of a pond. “If you want to do things for my good, then stay by my side obediently and stop making wild guesses. Let everything else take its natural course.”

Christina froze for a moment but temporarily set aside the worries in her heart.

“Then I’ll go back and check on Evelyn first.”

“I’ll pick you up later.”

The car drove away, and Nathaniel made a trip back to the office.

Upon seeing his injured hand, Madison immediately felt concerned. “Mr. Hadley, how did your hand?”

His hand was wrapped up with gauze, and the injury did not look like a minor one.

“It’s nothing,” replied Nathaniel calmly and continued to read the documents.

you hurt

Madison looked at his injured hand, feeling very worried. His hand was perfectly fine when he left two days ago. It must have been injured after meeting Christina. Christina is clearly bad luck! Nothing good ever happens to Mr. Hadley whenever he gets close to her.

They worked until late in the evening. When Nathaniel was leaving, Madison followed him into the elevator.

“Mr. Hadley, how about I go with you to the west of the city? Since your hand is injured, it would be helpful to have an extra hand, wouldn’t it?” she suggested, clenching her fists and feeling rather

nervous.

Nathaniel was injured, and all she wanted was to be by his side, making sure he wouldn’t get hurt again.

The elevator descended and then opened.

Nathaniel finally said casually, “No need, Christina will take care of me.”

After saying that, he walked out.

The elevator doors closed slowly. Madison stood inside as though she was just abandoned, watching the man’s tall figure disappear from her view.

Just the thought of Christina being together with Nathaniel happily filled her heart with resentment.

At that moment, her phone rang. It was a call from Francis.

“Regarding the conditions you mentioned last time, I agree to them.”

Madison’s gaze deepened. “All right, then! I look forward to working with you!”

After picking up Christina, Nathaniel returned to their condominium in the west of the city

“I forgot that today is the day to change the wound dressing.”

Nathaniel watched as the delicate figure changed her shoes and hurried into the living room. Christina quickly grabbed some anti-inflammatory medicine from a drawer and placed it on the coffee table. Then, she turned around to look at him.

“Come over here quickly!”

Nathaniel hurriedly changed his shoes and walked over to sit down by the couch.

Christina crouched down and skillfully unwrapped the bandage on his hand, revealing the wound, which had healed significantly. As she applied the medicine, she didn’t forget to gently blow on the wound.

“Does it hurt?” she asked, internally blaming herself for having pushed the car door so hard the other day.

Nathaniel raised his hand and rubbed her little head gently, saying in a soft voice, “It doesn’t hurt.”

“So, what would you like to eat? I’ll cook it for you.”

Nathaniel’s hand went to her chin, lifting up her face and allowing her to look directly into his eyes.

The atmosphere instantly grew intense. He gently bent down and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. “Anything is fine.”

Christina’s face reddened slightly. Humming softly in response, she then stood up and went to the kitchen.

 

Chapter 76 A Deal Worth Three Million

In the evening, Nathaniel was in the study, working on some documents.

Christina switched on her computer to check her email.

She noticed an email from the person in charge of her design studio, who had not contacted her for a long time.

The email read: Ada, there’s an important client specifically requesting you, and they’re offering double the usual price.

Christina had started collaborating with this studio ever since she started attending university. Although there weren’t many clients there, the clients usually had high requirements for quality.

She could always design the most suitable gowns for her clients based on their body shape and temperament.

Therefore, she soon made a name for herself in the circle.

However, with her heavy study load at the university, she didn’t have the energy to focus on her part- time work, so she stopped taking orders for quite some time.

She hesitated for a moment, then replied to Vivian: I’ve been really busy lately, so I probably won’t have much spare time.

Vivian quickly replied: Would you like to take a look at the client’s information first? They offered a really good price as well. You might just change your mind.

Christina opened the details that Vivian sent over and saw that the price offered was three million.

Upon looking at the client’s photograph, she was astonished.

It’s Julia? She was just cursing at me at home today. If she knew that I was Ada, would she still be willing to wear my design?

“What are you looking at?”

Nathaniel, who just finished his work, walked up behind Christina and noticed her being lost in thought in front of the computer.

“Your mom wants to hire me to design a gown for her but she doesn’t know that I’m the designer behind it. So, do you think I should accept the job?”

Christina looked up at Nathaniel, anticipating his opinion.

Nathaniel unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his toned and strong muscles that looked especially perfect being illuminated by the light. As he raised his hand to change into his pajamas, the muscular lines of his arm connected with the muscles of his back, and be exuded an overwhelming sense of masculine charm.

He didn’t notice that Christina’s eyes were sparkling like water as she looked at him. He casually replied, “Do as you please. Accept the offer if you want, or decline it if you don’t.”

Christina secretly swallowed her saliva and quickly averted her gaze.

“I want to accept it because she’s your mom, even though she doesn’t like me. But I don’t want things to get too awkward.”

It might still be acceptable to turn down the offer if she did not know the client’s details, but now that she knew, if she still deliberately declined, it would make her seem petty.

Nathaniel took the computer off the bed and, in one smooth motion, pulled Christina into hist embrace, holding her tightly before his strong chest.

He casually pulled up the sheets, burying them both in the darkness under the sheets.

“Darling, you’re so understanding. Let me reward you properly…”

The morning light streamed through the glass windows, filling the room with a warm and cozy atmosphere.

When Nathaniel woke up, Christina was lying in his arms. She was sound asleep, probably too tired from last night.

He kissed her forehead gently before getting out of bed.

When Christina woke up, she realized she was going to be late.

Enduring her sore body, she forced herself to get out of bed. After packing her things, she headed out.

Meanwhile, Julia, who still did not receive a response thought that Ada was trying to raise the price.

Thus, she called the studio and raised her offer to five million.

Her only condition was that the designer had to personally visit her and create the design on the spot.

After receiving the order, Vivian sent another message to Ada but did not receive a response for a long time.

Christina had been busy all day at the store. It wasn’t until she finished work in the evening that she remembered she had forgotten to help Nathaniel change his wound dressing again.

She made a phone call and found out that Nathaniel was still busy with his documents in the office.

After Sebastian provided the address, she hurriedly hailed a cab and rushed over.

It turned out that Hadley Corporation had set up a CEO’s office in each district, specifically to provide Nathaniel with a pleasant working environment when he was out of the office.

Inside the spacious office, Madison placed several documents on the desk.

“These urgent documents require your signature before we can proceed to the next step with them.”

Nathaniel hummed softly as he flipped open a document and focused on the text. When he was quiet, his cold and handsome face looked like a beautiful sculpture crafted by an artist, making it hard for people to take their eyes off him.

Every time Madison had the chance to admire this handsome face up close, she felt as if her shattered heart was pieced back together into a whole.

Nathaniel quickly finished reading the document, signed it, and handed it to her.

“It’s so late now. You must be tired.”

Madison had returned for some time, but this was the first time that Nathaniel had spoken to her with such a gentle attitude ever since she came back.

Madison couldn’t help but feel secretly delighted in her heart. She thought that even if the drive took five hours instead of one, it would still be worth it.

“It’s late now and not safe for you to go back at this hour. How about I book a hotel for you?” asked Sebastian, who was standing beside them.

Madison didn’t answer. Instead, she looked at Nathaniel and asked, “Mr. Hadley, don’t you live in Scenic Garden Manor?”

In every region across the country, there was a Scenic Garden Manor. The facilities and decorations were all modeled after the one that was located in the city center.

Sometimes, Nathaniel would even arrange for an assistant to be stationed at the specific Scenic Garden Manor where he would be staying, just to make his work more convenient.

Sebastian understood her meaning and explained, “Mr. Hadley and Mrs. Hadley live in their condominium, and I also stay at a hotel.”

Surprise flashed in Madison’s eyes, followed by a sense of loss.

Nathaniel and Christina live together!

Nathaniel had mysophobia, so whenever he went, he always stayed at the Scenic Garden Manor in that region and rarely stayed in hotels.

However, for Christina’s sake, he was now willing to live in a cramped condominium.

It was clear how deep his affection was toward her.

Madison’s shattered heart instantly cracked open once again as she lowered her gaze without responding.

At that moment, the door was pushed open.

“Does your hand hurt today? I forgot all about it! Why didn’t you remind me to change your dressing for you?” Christina complained.

She pouted as she walked over to Nathaniel. Without another word, she snatched the documents from his hands.

“How dare you-” Madison blurted out her warning instinctively.

However, before she could finish speaking, she was it with a cold glare from Nathaniel.

“Sorry, I forgot for a moment there,” she quickly apologized. She remembered that women were not allowed to touch Nathaniel.

But she had forgotten that only Christina could touch Nathaniel without causing him an allergic

reaction.

Why couldn’t that person be me? What’s so great about Christina? What kind of charm does she possess?

Suddenly, a thought crossed Madison’s mind…

Christina helped Nathaniel undo the bandage, which hadn’t been changed the whole day. The wound hadn’t healed, and instead, there were even traces of blood.

This startled Christina.

“What’s the matter? Did you do any heavy work today?”

Sebastian quickly waved his hand. “That’s impossible, Mr. Hadley has been in the office all day today.”

Nathaniel gently rubbed her head with his other hand, leaning toward her ear and softly reminding her, “It’s because of last night… It was an accident.”

Christina’s checks instantly turned red, looking as if she had just applied blush. She pursed her thin lips and glared at him with annoyance.

Can’t you show some restraint when there are people around?

Madison watched from the side as Nathaniel and Christina whispered to each other, her eyes spilling with jealousy.

Before she had an emotional breakdown, she turned around and walked away.

Seeing the situation, Sebastian quickly stepped out as well, letting Nathaniel and Christina have some space to themselves.

He caught up with Madison and saw that she was already in tears. At that moment, he didn’t know what words to say to comfort her.

He was very skilled at handling his work and the documents in the office, but he really had no experience with this kind of situation.

“Don’t be sad. Mr. Hadley got married three years ago. You know that as well, don’t you?”

Madison wiped away her tears. As she was a strong-willed woman, she didn’t like to cry in front of others or receive other people’s sympathy.

“Why… Why can’t that woman be me!”

 

Chapter 77 A Show Of Power

Sebastian’s face was calm; at this point in the situation there was no use in saying anything.

“In this world, nothing can sway Mr. Hadley’s thoughts, including you and me.”

Watching the woman’s slightly trembling figure, he let out a soft sigh. “If you lose control again, you won’t be qualified to stay by Mr. Hadley’s side.”

After saying that, he walked out.

Madison reined in her emotions, knowing she was a mature woman and understanding what Sebastian. had said.

If she continued to be overly dramatic, she would definitely be driven away by Nathaniel, so she couldn’t go on like this.

I definitely need to change my strategy…

After Christina finished bandaging Nathaniel’s wound, she asked, “That woman earlier is your assistant?”

“Yes, she has worked with Sebastian at Hadley Corporation for many years,” Nathaniel replied.

Christina didn’t respond but instead used the adhesive tape in her hand to help secure the gauze.

“What’s the matter? Jealous?” His husky voice was heard.

Christina shook her head, her face full of innocence. “No.”

There was no reason for her to be jealous, as coworker’s consisted of men and women.

Looking into Christina’s innocent and pure eyes that shimmered like water, Nathaniel couldn’t help. but wonder what she would look like when she was jealous.

When they returned home, Christina immediately went into the kitchen to cook dinner for Nathaniel.

After the busy day ended, she suddenly remembered that she had forgotten to reply to Vivian’s message.

The client had requested for a face-to-face session with her.

Christina hesitated for a moment. Generally, she had seen the client’s photo and taken their measurements, so her designs would be quite accurate.

After hesitating for a moment, she could only agree te a video discussion.

Vivian quickly agreed, and Julia wanted to make the most of their time, so she wanted to video chat with her right away.

“Sure, we can connect in ten minutes.”

After replying to the message, Christina immediately went into the dressing room and began rummaging through her belongings to find her gear.

Ten minutes later, the video call was connected.

Julia was dressed magnificently, wearing a high-end limited-edition dress and her long wavy hair flowing beautifully. She took great care of herself, and at fifty years old, she still looked radiant and youthful.

“Ms. Ada, why are you wearing a mask? Are you trying to trick me?”

Christina could feel the pressure from Julia even through the screen, and it was evident that she must have been a very dominant person in her youth.

Christina’s mask came with a voice changer, so when she spoke, her voice had a repetitive electronic. tone that made it impossible for others to identify.

“I have one condition for taking up this job, and that is to keep my identity confidential. I hope you understand that.”

In fact, everyone in the circle knew about that, and she believed Vivian had also made it clear to the client.

Julia felt a bit unhappy, but she didn’t say anything.

She had heard earlier that this designer’s design had a unique style. Although the designer remained anonymous, it did not affect their professionalism.

“Julia, please tell me the measurements you’ve taken so I can record them.”

On the other end of the call, Helen sent over the clearly marked numbers. “By looking at these numbers, you can clearly know Mrs. Hadley’s body curves?”

A string of numbers was just a reference, after all. Some people possessed more defined muscles, while others had softer ones.

Christina carefully observed all the numbers and then saved them securely.

“Of course, that’s not enough. Julia, please stand up and give a spin in front of the camera.”

Julia had always been the one in control, but now she found it quite unusual to be taking orders from a much younger girl.

Even though she wasn’t very willing, she still stood up and twirled in front of the camera.

Her figure had not become bloated due to age; on the contrary, she maintained it quite well, showing great self-discipline.

A vivid image was enough for Christina to clearly remember the distribution of her client’s body’s

curves.

She held the pencil and quickly sketched Julia’s body proportions on the paper, taking note of them. “Have you finished stating your requests? Now it’s my turn, right?”

Julia sat in front of the camera, her expression solemn as if she were holding a meeting with her

subordinates.

Chapter 77 A Show Of Power

Christina put down her pen. “Julia, please speak.”

+5 Bonus

“In three days, I want to see five design drawings for me to choose from. If I’m not satisfied, you’ll have to redraw them. If you show me the design drawing three times and I’m still not satisfied, then our collaboration will be canceled.”

Christina’s pupils constricted slightly. “Five design drawings in three days?”

If I were to draw three times, wouldn’t that be fifteen design drawings?

If Julia deliberately makes things difficult and refuses to cooperate, won’t all my efforts be in vain?

Seeing that Christina wasn’t responding, Julia spoke up again. “What’s the matter? Are you scared? If you don’t have the confidence, you can always refuse.

Christina couldn’t understand what Julia was trying to do.

She continuously raised the price just to seek my cooperation, and now she’s posing challenges to me?

Perhaps one could only say that Julia was a suspicious person and would not trust anyone too much or too easily.

“All right. I accept.”

Christina agreed, as she had great confidence in her own skills.

After disconnecting the call, she finally took off the mask from her face and let out a sigh of relief.

“You’re done?”

Nathaniel walked in with a glass of milk, handing it to her.

“I found that your mom is quite suspicious as if she doesn’t trust me,” Christina said, taking a sip of her milk.

Nathaniel’s gaze darkened. Ever since I hadn’t divorced Christina, our relationship has become even more tense.

“She’s always been like this, so you don’t need to worry too much. If you feel uncomfortable, just don’t accept it. It’s not like I can’t support you.”

He gently lifted her head and brushed aside her bangs. Underneath her delicate eyebrows, her were charming and captivating, like a clear spring.

Christina put down the empty milk cup, nodded, and hummed in acknowledgment like a well- behaved little kitten.

eyes She had three chances, after all. If she couldn’t satisfy Julia in the end, she wouldn’t dwell on it either.

Nathaniel’s gaze fell upon her, taking in her delicate and dewy face that still retained traces of baby fat and her little rosy lips.

That sight made him really want to…

Take a bite.

As another new day arrived, Nathaniel went to the office to work as usual..

Madison didn’t go home the previous night, and she was busy tidying up the work desk early in the morning. When she heard footsteps, she turned around, and a brilliant smile lit up her face.

“Mr. Hadley, I’ve prepared some oatmeal for you. Would you like to have a bowl before you start working?”

Nathaniel, dressed in a well-tailored suit, strode confidently into the room, walking directly past. Madison.

“No need for that. Don’t prepare breakfast for me in the future,” he said as he walked to his desk and sat down, his gaze turning cold. “I don’t want Christina to misunderstand.”

His words pierced Madison’s heart like a sharp knife, and a flicker of disappointment flashed in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it.

In fact, she had recently noticed that Nathaniel was deliberately keeping a distance from her, maintaining a professional working relationship between them.

He was deliberately trying to appear aloof.

“Sorry, I’ll definitely be more mindful next time. I’m heading back to the headquarters now,” she said calmly, but in reality, every second of being in front of Nathaniel was tormenting her inside.

Nathaniel gave a faint hum of acknowledgment, and Madison walked out.

After leaving the branch office, Madison didn’t rush back but instead changed direction and headed to the shopping mall.

 

Chapter 78 Stay Away From Me

Radiant Corporation’s signature was quite eye-catching. As one walked in, one could see a familiar figure holding a notebook, diligently working.

Madison walked in, and Christina looked up and recognized her. “Ms. Turner, are you here to buy clothes?”

“No, I need to go back now. Mr. Hadley has a bad stomach. Please take good care of him,” Madison said with a faint smile at the corner of her lips.

This smile appeared friendly on the surface, but the hidden provocation could only be understood by the two of them.

When Christina first met Madison, she immediately felt that this woman had hostility toward her.

A woman’s sixth sense was never wrong.

So did she come to demonstrate her power right in front of me today?

Christina’s lips curved slightly upward, and her clear eyes sparkled. “Nathaniel is my husband, and it’s only natural for me to take care of him. Thank you for your reminder.”

“No need to thank me, I’m just worried that if you don’t do well, you’ll be replaced,” Madison said coldly, the strong hint of unrequited love and resentment dripping off her words.

Christina chuckled lightly. “You don’t have to worry because I won’t be replaced.”

She spoke with such confidence that it cut Madison to the core. With a cold snort, Madison turned and walked away.

Madison settled into a Jaguar and made a call. “You can proceed now.”

Christina couldn’t understand why Madison suddenly appeared in front of her and laid her cards on the table.

She didn’t bother thinking too much about it. After finishing her tasks, she made time to work on her sketches. Having to produce five design drawings in three days was quite a demanding workload.

When Christina had some free time, she went to the café on the pedestrian street behind the mall. ordered a cup of coffee, and then turned on her tablet to work on her design drawings with a stylus.

After she sat there for some time, dusk arrived before she knew it.

Having lowered her head to work all day, Christina fel dazed as she walked into the mall.

As a figure brushed past her, she was inadvertently bumped. The person moved quickly, grabbing her hand and pulling her into the restroom.

“What the hell are you doing?!”

A hand covered her mouth, and a faint floral scent wafted into Christina’s nostrils.

She lifted her frightened gaze and saw a man wearing a black mask in front of her. He had shoulder- length hair dyed in a trendy gray color with slightly curled ends. Judging from the half of his face that

was visible, he was a very handsome man.

“Excuse me, could you please cooperate with me and be quiet for a moment?” The man’s clear and magnetic voice was as pleasant to listen to as the male protagonist in a TV drama.

Before Christina could react, she heard hurried footsteps coming from outside the door.

“Where’s Francis? How did he run to? Quick, search around!”

After a while, those people couldn’t find their target and left.

The man’s hand finally relaxed, and he pulled down his mask, revealing his handsome face. His upturned eyes and deep gaze were like a thousand-year-old demon lurking in the depths of the mountains, capable of stealing one’s soul with just a glance.

Christina immediately recognized the man in front of her as Francis Fernando, a very famous male actor in the entertainment industry.

The last time he won the Best Actor award for a film, he started taking on fewer roles.

After establishing his own studio, he spent most of his time mentoring newcomers, and occasionally, he would make occasional appearances on variety shows.

“How can I thank you for helping me?”

Taking advantage of the moment when she was not paying attention, the man silently moved closer to the young lady by a few inches.

He’s getting a bit too close!

Christina crawled out from a gap on one side and said, “No need to be polite. It’s just a small matter.”

“This won’t do. How about you leave your contact information, and I’ll give you a few tickets to the popular Zion concert that’s happening soon?” Francis said as he took out his phone.

Seeing that Christina was hesitant, he simply took matters into his own hands and grabbed Christina’s phone. With a quick scan of the QR code, the friend request was sent successfully sent.

“Let’s get in touch again. Bye!”

As soon as his words fell, Francis walked away nonchalantly.

Christina stared at her phone in disbelief as she saw that a famous celebrity had suddenly appeared on her phone. The feeling was like suddenly winning the jackpot even though she had never bought any lottery ticket.

The feeling was a bit surreal.

She returned to the store and quickly forgot about the whole incident.

In the evening, when she returned to the condominium, she quickly prepared some simple homemade dishes and placed them on the table.

After that, Christina took a shower and changed into her soft, pink pajamas. Holding her tablet, she sat on the couch and continued to finish her incomplete design drawing.

In the middle of the night, the door was pushed open

Nathaniel walked in, his gaze falling on the slender figure lying on the couch.

Christina’s skirt was lifted up, revealing a section of her smooth, slender legs. Her hands were crossed over her chest, and her face was turned to the side.

The tranquil scene of her was as beautiful as a sleeping angel.

As he walked in, he simultaneously loosened his tie with one hand, removed his suit jacket, and unbuttoned his white shirt.

It seemed as if the play of light and shadow was deliberately carved onto his chest, illuminating the expanse of muscles brimming with masculine hormones…

Nathaniel approached Christina, bent down to pick her up, and carried her into the bedroom.

Christina slept soundly, her body pressing against the bed as she turned over, casually grabbing a blanket and pulling it into her embrace. Following that, she continued her deep slumber.

Nathaniel flashed a faint smile and gently kissed her face.

Meanwhile, Christina’s cellphone rang outside the living room.

He walked out and saw her phone with the screen lit up.

Francis texted: Are you asleep yet, Cutie?

Nathaniel was completely stunned. Looking at the profile picture and the tone of speech, he was certain that it was Francis himself.

Seeing that the other party didn’t respond, Francis sent a new message: I’ll be waiting for you at the café tomorrow. Shall I give you the tickets then?

When did he meet Christina?

Why would they be friends on WhatsApp?

Nathaniel’s body suddenly flared up with anger when he thought of that cunning man. It made him feel extremely uneasy.

He stared at the screen, typed a single word in response, and then deleted the chat history.

When Christina woke up, there was no one by her side.

Upon leaving the living room, the small dishes she had placed on the table the previous night remained untouched.

However, there were worn clothes in the bathroom.

Perhaps Nathaniel is too busy these days?

Christina didn’t give it much thought. After tidying up the house, she got ready to go to work when her phone received a new voice message.

Francis: “Why haven’t you arrived yet?”

Christina looked at the message, feeling puzzled. Did he message the wrong person?

Inside the café, there were no customers early in the morning. The man was wearing a mask and sunglasses, but that couldn’t hide the charm that radiated from him.

The female store staff couldn’t help but be captivated by him. At that moment, an even more aloof and handsome man entered through the door.

The female staff was stunned. What a wonderful day!

Two handsome guys appearing at the same time?

That tall figure seemed eager to meet the handsome guy wearing a mask. The former walked straight over and grabbed the latter by the collar.

“Francis, haven’t I warned you to stay away from my people?”

Francis saw the look of anger on Nathaniel’s face and suddenly felt a sense of satisfaction in his heart.

He enjoyed seeing Nathaniel lose control like this.

Francis spoke with a hint of disdain and indifference I’m waiting for the little kitten. What’s that got to do with you? Why is someone like you, who can’t even get close to women, trying to protect a girl?”

“I don’t care what your intentions are. Christina is my woman.” A storm raged in the depths of Nathaniel’s eyes as if he wanted to swallow the man before him whole.

“So? I just like getting close to her…”

Pow!

With a loud thud, Nathaniel’s fist landed heavily on Francis’ temple!

 

Chapter 79 Stay Away From Him

“Don’t take my warning lightly.”

Nathaniel tightly gripped Francis’ collar, his eyes bloodshot.

“Oh, Nathaniel. Are you finally showing your ruthless side? All for a woman?”

Blood stained the corner of Francis mouth. Despite the stinging sensation, he laughed.

His attractive face appeared even more enchanting as he stared at the man in front of him intently. “Well, what should I do? I’m also quite interested in that little girl.”

“You’re looking for trouble!”

Nathaniel’s brows furrowed. He threw another punch without hesitation, but this time, Francis caught his hand.

They glared at each other, their gazes fiery like a volcano’s lava threatening to set the store ablaze.

“It’s Francis!”

“I can’t believe we ran into him here! Quick, take a photo!”

When Francis heard the screams from outside the store, his lips curled up coldly. “If you don’t want to let go, that’s fine. I don’t mind making the headlines with you.”

Nathaniel’s eyebrows twitched in annoyance. Reluctantly, he released his grip.

He naturally didn’t want to be seen in the same frame as Francis, especially when they were fighting.

Francis put his mask back on and wore the baseball cap, almost covering his entire face.

“Nathaniel, what are you guys doing?”

A familiar voice sounded at that point. The two men turned their heads to see Christina walking in, her eyes filled with confusion.

She had planned to buy a cup of coffee with her colleague before going to work, but she never expected to encounter such a scene.

Why did Nathaniel hit Francis? Are they acquainted with each other?

“I came to deliver the tickets to you, but he attacked me without asking any questions!” Francis explained with an innocent look.

“What ticket? I never asked for one.” Christina didn’t know what Francis was talking about, let alone the reason the two men would meet here.

However, she firmly believed that Nathaniel would never hit someone over a trivial matter. Having an idea why Nathaniel appeared at the café, Francis remarked coldly, “How cunning.” “Believe it or not. I can hit you so hard that you won’t be able to speak,” Nathaniel threatened.

He glanced at Francis coldly, and the surrounding atmosphere seemed to turn icy because of the piercing chill emanating from him.

Even though he knew Francis was deliberately provoking him, he couldn’t help but want to hit the man.

Francis shrugged and looked at Christina worriedly, “Look, he’s not gentle at all. You should stay away from him as soon as possible. I’ll be off now.”

After saying that, he stuffed the concert tickets he was holding into Christina’s bag.

Nathaniel immediately grabbed the tickets from the bag and flung them at Francis’ back. “No one cares about your tickets.”

The front-row tickets that were worth a few thousand fluttered to the ground like worthless scraps of paper.

In spite of that, Francis was unbothered. He walked out, whistling cheerfully.

Nathaniel’s brows were furrowed. With a gloomy face he took Christina’s hand and led her outside.

The store clerks standing at the entrance watched as the two men left one after the other. They were screaming so hard to the point of losing their voices.

“Am I dreaming? Was that really the superstar, Francis, and the CEO of Hadley Corporation?”

“What a great day it is today! I can’t believe I met two dreamy men at the same time!”

“I heard that Ms. Steele and the CEO have a special relationship. It seems to be true!”

Outside, Nathaniel pushed Christina against the wall, his hawk-like eyes filled with displeasure.

“Stay away from him from now on.”

“What’s your relationship with him? Why did you two fight?” Christina asked curiously.

She knew their backgrounds quite well, and there was absolutely no connection between them. Apart from their height, they basically had no other similarities.

“Don’t worry about it. Just remember what I said.”

With that, Nathaniel took Christina’s phone from her bag and blocked Francis’ WhatsApp number.

“Why are there so many men in your WhatsApp?” he questioned with a frown.

There used to be just over a hundred. Why are there Hundreds of them now?

Worried that he would delete her other contacts, Christina quickly took the phone from him. “Don’t get me wrong. They’re just some minor celebrities who want to work with me.”

After the banquet last time, minor celebrities would try to get her number from time to time.

Some wanted to collaborate with her on styling, while others simply wanted to get closer to her to secure endorsements from Hadley Corporation.

Though Nathaniel felt uneasy about that, what mattered was that Francis was no longer on her contact list.

“Remember what I said. I don’t want to repeat it.”

After saying that, he turned around and left.

Christina had no idea why he was angry. As she watched him walk away in a huff, she sighed helplessly.

Upon returning to the condominium in the evening, Christina sent the completed design drawings to Julia.

Right away, Julia gave her a video call.

Christina hurriedly put on her equipment and disguised her voice using a voice changer. “Julia, did you see any designs you like?”

She assumed they should be able to pick at least one out of the five designs she had provided.

On the other side of the line, Julia exuded an air of sophistication and grace with her elegant outfit and neatly styled curls.

She scanned the designs on the screen. Each one of them was unique and distinct, showcasing a solid foundation in design skills.

“I’ve looked through them. The designs are pretty good, and I’m quite satisfied, but…”

She paused for a moment and continued, “There’s nothing that particularly captivates me.”

Christina was a bit puzzled.

She’s satisfied and thinks they’re good, but none of them captivates her?

Helen, who was sitting at the side, tried to smooth things over. “Ada, Mrs. Hadley has very high standards and is quite the perfectionist when it comes to clothing. So, we’ll give you three more days to prepare five more designs for Mrs. Hadley to choose from.”

Christina’s eyes widened.

Prepare five more designs? Is Julia deliberately trying to make things difficult for me?

She suddenly realized that Julia wasn’t just targeting her alone. In fact, the latter held the same doubtful attitude toward others as well.

To gain Julia’s trust, Christina gritted her teeth and agreed.

“Let’s get in touch again in three days.”

After the call ended, Helen turned off the computer.

“I think the designs are quite good. Do you not like them, Mrs. Hadley?” she queried.

Julia’s lips curled into a faint smile, her expression turning unreadable. “I do like them, but since she charges me so much, she has to satisfy me.”

For some reason, Ada’s eyes reminded her of someone he didn’t like.

“That’s true. Maybe her next designs will be even better.”

Julia scoffed. “I hope she doesn’t disappoint.”

In her condominium, Christina was holding her tablet, looking at her design drawings. All five of them were customized according to Julia’s measurements, and she couldn’t find any flaws.

Julia didn’t point out what she was unhappy about, so Christina had no idea how to revise the designs.

Vague comments like this stressed her out the most.

Since she was uninspired, Christina decided to take a break for a while.

When she glanced up, she realized it was almost midnight.

Why isn’t Nathaniel back yet?

Christina leaned back on the couch and checked the news. Thankfully, the fight between Nathaniel and Francis earlier that day didn’t make it online.

She could not understand how the two of them got into a conflict when they had no connections on social media at all.

Could it be that Nathaniel was too jealous?

Feeling tired, she leaned on the pillow and fell asleep.

After some time, the door was quietly pushed open.

A faint light glowed inside the silent room, the hazy moonlight pouring on the floor. On one side of the couch lay a soft figure.

Nathaniel walked over and cast his gaze on the woman’s sleeping face. Her long, dark eyelashes cast a shadow on her rosy cheeks.

His anger vanished at the sight of her innocent and pure expression.

Why did she fall asleep on the couch? Doesn’t she know she might catch a cold?

Nathaniel scrunched his brows slightly and gently took away Christina’s tablet that was still on. Then, he carried her in his arms.

As he turned around, his gaze fell upon the dining table, where three dishes and a pot of soup were laid out along with his tableware.

Obviously, the food were prepared for him.

Nathaniel’s pupils tightened slightly, and warmth filled his heart. Why didn’t she call me when she made a meal for me?

He walked to the master bedroom and gently laid Christina down on the bed. The faint floral scent emanating from her soft body made him reluctant to let go.

Nathaniel gently lifted her long hair away from her face, revealing her smooth forehead. He gave it a light peck, then paused briefly before pressing a deeper, more affectionate kiss.

The next morning, a gentle breeze seeped through the tiny gaps in the window.

Christina wrapped the blanket around herself tightly and only woke up when the alarm rang.

When she saw the empty space beside her, she felt an indescribable sense of loss in her heart.

I thought Nathaniel carried me here while I was asleep last night. Was it just my imagination?

She turned over and got up. Before leaving the house, she noticed the food on the table had been finished. This confirmed that last night was not a dream but indeed a reality.

Without thinking too much about it, Christina headed for the store and dived into work right away.

The clothes she previously designed had been shipped out and distributed to various branches across the country. Thanks to the wonderful promotion job by Radiant Corporation’s public relations department, the sales exceeded their expectations by fifty percent.

Since Christina managed to complete her task ahead of schedule, the headquarters asked her to return from the branch office.

Before parting, she had a celebration with the store clerks.

On the way back, Christina opened her phone’s call log and realized that she hadn’t been in touch with Nathaniel for a week.

 

Chapter 80 Why Are You In My House

Is he still angry about Francis?

If Christina had to define her relationship with Francis, she would undoubtedly consider him at stranger.

With a sigh, she dialed Nathaniel’s number. It rang for a while, but no one answered.

Christina had no choice but to call Sebastian. “Sebastian, are you with Nathaniel?”

“Mrs. Hadley? Mr. Hadley just got off the plane and returned to Scenic Garden Manor to rest,” Sebastian answered truthfully.

“All right. Thank you.”

After hanging up the phone, Christina asked the driver to head to Scenic Garden Manor.

Half an hour later, Christina walked through the gates of Scenic Garden Manor, dragging her suitcase with one hand and holding a cake with the other.

Upon seeing her, the housekeeper came over to help her with her luggage.

Christina entered the house and looked around. As no one was around, she figured that Nathaniel must be on the second floor.

We’ve already been giving each other the silent treatment for so many days now. He’s probably not upset anymore, right?

Carrying the cake she had specially bought, Christina walked up to the second floor.

The door to the study was half-open. She happily walked over and began, “Nathaniel, I bought a cake

Halfway through her sentence, Christina paused in her tracks in shock.

Madison was standing in front of the desk, slowly turning around. Her long hair was damp, and she donned a bathrobe that revealed a part of her chest.

What was worse, the bathrobe was Christina’s. She didn’t need brains to figure out what it meant for Madison to take a bath in their house and even wear her bathrobe.

“Christina, what brings you back here?” Madison lifted her chin and spoke as if she were the lady of the house.

“This is my house. Do I need to report to you when ome back?” Christina clenched her fists tightly, her eyes filled with hostility. “I should be the one asking why you’re in my house.”

Christina had lived in Scenic Garden Manor for several years, and as Nathaniel’s wife, she could confidently call this place her house.

Madison’s lips curled up in triumph. She hooked her hair around her finger and replied provocatively, “Why don’t you guess why I’m here, wearing a bathrobe and looking like I just took a shower?”

Christina instantly felt a lump in her throat. She blinked a few times as the scene of a mistress entering the house in a TV show flashed through her mind.

“Disgusting,” she blurted out angrily before storming off.

So this was why he didn’t contact me for a week. He deliberately found an excuse to get angry and left me at the side to have fun with another woman!

Christina could barely hold back her tears.

When she descended the stairs, the butler noticed that something was off with her expression and hurriedly caught up. “Mrs. Hadley, what’s wrong?”

Without saying anything, Christina angrily threw the cake into the trash, then grabbed her luggage and left aggrievedly.

The butler had no idea what had happened and why Christina would suddenly throw the perfectly fine. cake.

Upstairs, Nathaniel stepped out of the master bedroom.

He was dressed in casual home wear, his freshly blown hair appearing soft under the light. At that moment, he looked just like a dazzling celebrity on a magazine cover.

For a while, Madison felt as if she was truly the lady of the house, and the man walking toward her was none other than her husband.

Such a life is too perfect-

“Why haven’t you left yet?”

Nathaniel walked past her, his gaze not even lingering on her for a second.

His curt sentence shattered the beautiful vision that Madison had just conjured up in her mind.

Her heart tightened painfully.

“I just finished organizing the files for you,” Madison said with a somewhat unfocused gaze. “I’ll leave as soon as my clothes are here.”

It had suddenly started pouring when they came back just now, so both of them got drenched.

That was why Nathaniel made an exception and allowed Madison to dry her clothes in his house.

Madison had delivered documents to Scenic Garden Manor countless times before, but today was the first time she could actually stay for a while.

She didn’t expect that this would cause Christina to misunderstand. Thinking back to the way Christina left furiously just now, she felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

“I’ll let the driver take you home,” Nathaniel said, implying that he wanted her to leave.

He didn’t like other women hanging around in his hose, and he disliked, even more, having the scent of another woman in the air.

“But I’m wearing a bathrobe…” Madison protested weakly. She had casually grabbed Christina’s bathrobe earlier.

Nathaniel lowered his eyes and flipped through the documents in his hand. “I don’t need it Do whatever you want with it when you go back.”

He wouldn’t let Christina touch the bathrobe that another woman had worn, anyway. anymore.

Madison couldn’t hide the disappointment in her eyes. She bit her lip and wanted to ask why Nathaniel disliked her so much, but she didn’t dare to speak up.

After giving a hum of acknowledgment, she turned around and walked away.

The driver was already waiting for her with the car reserved for guests when she got to the entrance.

While Madison got into the car and left, Nathaniel checked his phone and saw a missed call from Christina.

Last week, Nathaniel had to make an unexpected overseas business trip due to an urgent matter. Due to the difference in time zones, every time he was free, it was already late at night on Christina’s side.

That was the reason he didn’t call Christina. Staring at the phone, Nathaniel wondered if his little girl had been behaving well these days.